"Y-you… I-I-I…"

Karl stared at Calis before him, trembling so hard his words tangled into a stutter.

Holy crap!!

What the hell’s going on??

Why was *this* villainess in his own house—and right beside his bed?!

Calis watched Karl’s panic with serene composure. "I am the maid assigned to attend to your daily needs starting today. Please call me Calis."

"N-no… that’s not… why… why are you in my house??"

Unfazed by his stammering, Calis repeated calmly, "As stated: I am your new personal maid. Call me Calis."

"B-but…"

Before Karl could finish, Calis blurred forward in a flash. A cold, sharp dagger pressed against his throat.

"I said—I am your maid. Any further questions??"

"N-no… none…"

*Even poisoned, she took down two Golden Peak experts. Now? She could crush me with one hand.*

Seeing Karl fall silent, Calis smiled gently. "Then, Master… please get dressed."

Karl eyed her cautiously. "C-could you… bring my clothes?"

Calis’s brows twitched. "Can’t you fetch them yourself?"

"Y-you’re the maid! A maid should… should…"

*…help me dress!!*

A silver glint flashed in Calis’s hand.

Karl’s neck went ice-cold. He scrambled to the wardrobe and yanked out his clothes.

After dressing, Karl led Calis downstairs to the breakfast hall.

He wasn’t truly afraid—*if she wanted me dead, I’d be ash by now*. Besides, Calis didn’t seem the type to repay kindness with malice. She was likely just lying low.

*But how did she even get in?!*

Count Watt, portly and smiling, sat at the head of the table beside an untouched newspaper.

Lucina sipped coffee, her gaze sharp as she assessed Calis behind Karl.

Mia sat drowsily in her seat, half-asleep.

Freya’s brows were slightly furrowed, clearly on guard.

Count Watt beamed. "Darling, please share your thoughts. Calis is new—she’ll need your guidance."

Lucina set down her cup. "I’ve heard the story: deceived into the city, penniless, begging… until my husband took you in."

Calis gave a slight nod—*script confirmed*.

"I don’t oppose hiring a maid, but rules are non-negotiable. First: no relations with any man here. If they harass you, tell me—I’ll handle them. If *you* seduce them? I’ll handle *you*. Second: master all maid duties within one month. Fail the evaluation? Return to your village. Third…"

Madam Lucina listed each rule with quiet authority. The table fell silent. Even Ling and Nana paused their work, listening intently.

Only after she finished did everyone relax—until Nana knocked over a stack of clean plates.

"Nana!!!"

Lucina’s stern gaze locked on her. Discipline mode: reactivated.

Later, Freya pulled Karl aside in the garden.

"Karl. Be careful. That new maid… she’s a master."

Karl forced a laugh. "A *master*? What kind?"

*If Freya finds out Calis is a villainess too… they’ll form a dangerously cute villain duo. Like Team Rocket.*

*Wait—was Father-in-law really that gullible? "Poor deceived girl"? Pfft. He just took a fancy to her! Planning a second wife?!*

Freya’s tone turned grave. "She’s a seduction expert. Every glance, every smile—crafted to hook you."

"…"

*Oh. THAT kind of master.*

"Never mind."

"Don’t worry," Karl said quickly. "If I fall for her, I’m a puppy."

"You’d better mean it." Freya fixed him with a *behave-or-else* look. "Hmph~"

A chill ran down Karl’s spine.

*In the death nodes, I saw her wielding a cleaver—*thwack*, *thwack*. If she learns what happened yesterday…*

*No way. I value my life too much to flirt with a villainess. Impossible. Absolutely impossible.*

After reaffirming his loyalty, Karl excused himself and headed toward the incinerator nearly a hundred meters away.

*Gotta burn Roy and Rod.*

Keeping two corpses in his ring—eating, sleeping with them? Beyond creepy.

He confirmed the area was clear, then pulled the twins’ bodies out. Too risky to loot; he tossed them straight in.

Powered by concentrated flame crystals, the incinerator was a mini crematorium. Anything inside turned to ash.

He flipped the switch. Roaring flames erupted, heat surging outward.

"Gentlemen, don’t blame me—I had no choice. Wrongs have their origins; debts have their owners. Take your grudge to Calis… not me."

Karl muttered the words. *Wish I had spirit money to burn…*

A cold voice cut through the air:

"Why seek me?"

Karl spun around. Calis stood there, stunningly beautiful, nose lifted slightly.

"Ah! N-no—I was just… talking to myself~~"

She sniffed. "Burning corpses? The twins from yesterday?"

*She SMELLS it?!*

"Burning flesh has a distinct scent—sweeter than roast meat. Most can’t detect it." A faint smile. "Smart move using the incinerator, not the wilderness."

"Did I have a *choice*?! Dump them and get traced by magic? I’d be doomed!"

Calis chuckled. "Good. Next time I have a body, I’ll bring it to you."

"…"

*Sis!!! How many more people are you planning to kill?!*

Before Karl could protest, Calis added lightly:

"Once done, see Lady Lucina. She’s taking you to a poetry gathering."